I Spent A Month In Italy: Here’s What No One Tells You About Living La Dolce Vita

Flying on a Vespa through the Tuscan countryside, tasting my first gelato, hiking to the Lake Garda viewpoint, gawking at Renaissance masterpieces and jaw-dropping basilicas—my first hop to Italia was as magical as the Instagram reels promised. But it also came with a less glamorous B-side: sweating through 100-degree heat, wilting in AC-less buildings, wrestling luggage up train steps, dragging it over centuries-old cobblestones, and paying €18 for three sad ravioli from the ‘picture menu.’

I had become that girl: the high-maintenance tourist. Though in my defense, I was in Italy for six weeks. Still, I overpacked like it was an Olympic sport, bringing things I never touched: a liter-sized copper water bottle in its own carry case, duplicate bottles of vitamins "just in case," and other examples of girl math gone wild.

Do’s

So… you’ve decided you’re going to Italy—congratulations! Now comes the fun (and mildly overwhelming) part: figuring out where to go, what to pack, and how not to look like you just stepped out of a tourist starter pack. I’ll share the essentials that actually came in handy during my time in pasta paradise, plus a few Amazon Prime lifesavers that earned their spot in my suitcase right alongside my phone and passport.

Packing

• Leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs and clothes and things you will want to buy (or just plan to buy a cheap suitcase in Italy to pack all your purchases in at the end).

• Buy an Italian (different countries have different inserts) plug adapter for your charger, and make sure it fits your phone model (USB or USB-C). I bought this USB-C adapter for Italy, and I also bought this European adapter with different inserts for multiple countries.

• Buy a portable phone charger that’s easy to pack in your belt bag.

• Yes, bring a belt bag! Or a cute crossbody purse; one that closes securely as well as (of course) coordinates with most of your outfits.

• ICYMI: Italian summers are hot! Pack a little handheld electric fan and/or a Venetian-style fan to keep cool, or plan to buy one on your first walk out after arriving.

• Be sure to pack setting spray or powder, especially if you use liquid makeup, so you don't melt your face off while inevitably sweating. 

• Plan to use minimal makeup—the natural look is more the Italian way, anyway.

• Pack shorts to wear under dresses. It helps to avoid chaff from all the walking and wicks the sweat.

• Bring a cute hat or plan to buy one there. It’s both trendy in Italy and practical.

• Bring magnesium and food enzymes. Both of these help to digest rich carbs like pasta and gelato and keep things moving well for the bathroom, so you don’t get stopped up as one usually does when traveling.

• Bring activated charcoal capsules in case you get food poisoning or drink too much alcohol. It helps flush out toxins and prevents hangovers.

• For any supplements, only bring what you actually will take daily and condense bottles as much as possible, or pack the capsules in labeled baggies (we love a good Sharpie). Or grab a vitamin organizer, like this pink one!

• Bring a small heating pad for your period only if you think you’ll need and use it. I got a portable one that vibrated to help soothe cramps. It looked like a compact belt bag only for the tummy and it worked great.

• If you’re into filming and plan to do some adventuring, like snorkeling, hiking, parasailing, or riding Vespas, it’s worth it to bring a GoPro. I regretted not bringing mine.

• Save pricier buys like leather jackets, jewelry and designer items for Florence instead of Rome or the Amalfi Coast—the cost will be much cheaper, especially for leather goods and gold.

Money

• Be sure to bring a visa (with no foreign exchange fees), since it’s accepted almost everywhere, unlike American Express cards.

• Order euros in cash from your bank before leaving for the odd souvenir, tips and taxi drivers that only accept cash. If you exchange currency at the airport, you’ll be charged an exchange fee.

• Some places accept Apple Pay but not all, so don’t depend on that. Keep your physical visa and some cash handy.

Accommodations

• When reserving Airbnb’s, be sure to add the filter for air conditioning, or you might end up without it!

• When reserving hotels or Airbnb’s always check the reviews! This is nothing new, but I ended up getting dust flea bites at a 4-star hotel, where the shower was also always flooded (which was mentioned in a customer review that I disregarded).

• For hotels, I used Booking.com and loved how the Genius status got me discounts. Airbnb is fair, but the photos are often deceiving, or it might be a nice room in an unsafe area.

• Be sure to check the area on ChatGPT for safety and location accessibility. It’s convenient to book a stay near a bus and/or metro stop if you plan to use public transportation. 

• Ubers aren’t overly available in Italy, but in the main cities there’s usually an option for a taxi on the Uber app. When leaving a hotel or arriving and you need a ride to or from a train station, it’s best to ask the hotel front desk ahead of time to call you a taxi.

• Book stays as much in advance as possible; just use free cancellation if your plans change or if you find a better location.

Itinerary

• If you want to ride a Vespa or rent a car, get your international driver’s license before your trip. Some vespa rentals only require your driver’s license, so remember to bring that along with your passport.

• When driving, go the speed limit and obey signals! This may sound like a no-brainer, but European countries have tons of traffic cameras on the road, even in more remote places, and if you run a red light or speed, odds are you’ll get a ticket in the mail.

• Use the Airbnb or Booking.com apps to book activities like snorkeling, wine tastings, or boat tours.

• On Google Maps, look up and save breakfast and brunch spots (ahead of time) if you know you’ll want a protein breakfast; something more than just the generic espresso and a sugary pastry first thing in the morning.

• If you’re traveling on a budget or flying solo, I wouldn’t recommend going to Venice or the Amalfi Coast (including Capri). Both are very romantic and stunning, but expensive and touristy destinations, and with the difficulty involved getting around, there’s truth in “do it right or not at all.”

• If you do go to the Amalfi Coast, give yourself a full day for travel when leaving and arriving. Ravello is a beautiful, but less touristy, destination. My friends and I stayed in Amalfi and loved it! Most of the towns all have the same type of markets and lemon merch (just with different town name logos on the bags). I definitely recommend doing a (sunset) boat tour, snorkeling, or paddleboarding to enjoy the water since the beaches are very hot, small, and crowded.

• My personal favorite locations that we visited were Rome (duh), Assisi, Florence/Tuscany, Verona, and Lake Garda near the Dolomites. I also spent four days in Sardinia on the Costa Smeralda, or the Emerald Coast which has the most stunning clear, blue waters and white sand beaches.

Don’t’s

Some might go without saying, but sometimes a reminder is helpful…

• Don’t overpack! Try to mix and match as much as possible, apart from a couple signature outfits.

• Don’t bother bringing heels, or shoes to match just one or two outfits. Bring three pairs of shoes: sandals and walking sneakers, and flip flops for the beach or pool. 

• Don’t bother packing things you “might” need or wear. It’s just not worth it.

• Don’t hassle packing enough toiletries or feminine products like tampons/pads to last your whole trip (if traveling longer than a few days or a week). It’s not a third-world country—they do have convenience stores and supermarkets.

• Don’t bother packing a water bottle, unless it’s easily attachable. Unless you’re hiking or biking across the country, buying and refilling plastic water bottles that cost around 1-2 euro are the easiest option for tourists. Italian cities like Rome have public fountains that are safe to drink from.

• Don’t get overly offended if random Italian guys flirt with you, especially if you’re meandering around alone in Rome, unless of course they’re being rude. I would get “ciao, bella!” several times a day, was borderline proposed to at the outdoor market (just a girl trying to buy some salami), and one waiter standing by the walkway literally said, “wait excuse me, I’ve seen you before…in my dreams…” I’d just give a little laugh of appreciation for their efforts and walk on my way.

• Don’t forget to try a wine window or affogato window in Rome or Florence! Delish.

• Don’t eat at restaurants with pictures on the menu—they’re touristy and overpriced (yes, I paid over 30 euros for a solitary dish of 3 cheese ravioli). Rather than circling around the most crowded, tourist-heavy spots, wander down a nearby street and odds are you’ll find an authentic restaurant with a delicious menu for better prices.

• Don’t let the crowds ruin your experience (early wakeup is not a bad idea), when you can’t travel in off-seasons. You have to just accept it as part of the experience, like the sweating.

• If you need help with directions, don’t hesitate to ask a polizia for help (wink-wink). You’ll see them, and they usually travel in groups.

Remember that Italy sort of functions on its own timetable. One weekend you might wake up to a union strike that halts all public transportation for 24 hours. Some activities, like parasailing, might only be available a few mornings a week. A random fire could shut down multiple train lines across the country (true story). A restaurant might close for the rest of the day the moment it starts raining (also true).

The best approach? Don’t stress. Be ready with a plan B, savor the detours, and enjoy the incredible food, art, and architecture in one of the most history-rich countries on the planet.